Va.'s imperfect road deal is a perfect example of compromise

10:28 PM,
Feb. 24, 2013

Gov. Bob McDonnell, right, talks with State Sen. Walter Stosch, R-Henrico, left, as he leads an adjournment committee at the state Capitol in Richmond on Saturday. The General Assembly adjourned for the 2013 session.

Written by

Robert McCartney
The Washington Post

The Virginia road tax deal approved here Saturday is absurdly complicated and riddled with shortcomings. Gov. Bob McDonnell is breaking a major campaign promise by supporting it. It still doesn't raise enough money to end the nightmarish traffic jams that torment Northern Virginia. I applaud it anyway, wholeheartedly.

I cheer first because the agreement delivers lots of fresh funds - well over $1 billion a year by 2018 - for road improvements and transit. It will pay for new ramps, turn lanes and repaving that will help relieve congestion, even if it falls short of actually solving the ...